A message from one of our grateful recipients – The Cancer Care Team at Hutchinson Health

Part of the Hutchinson Health Cancer Team supporting the fundraising efforts of the new Cancer Center at the Havana Nights Gala in November

By now you have probably caught onto this quarter’s theme and focus – the much needed new Cancer Center coming to Hutchinson Health, and the Foundation’s commitment to support this expansion that will have a direct and positive impact on so many in our community. While we can ‘anticipate’ what this renovation will mean to those who have the opportunity to work daily in the new Center, we wanted you to hear from them first hand. Below you will find some thoughts directly from the Cancer Care Team – those who work diligently day in and day out to make those walking through their cancer journey as comfortable as possible.

“Surprised yet humbled that the Foundation and community would be helping with the expansion of our Cancer Clinic” is how Jodi Kiefer, a Patient Access Scheduler at Hutchinson Health, explained it when she learned her team would be receiving a donation from the Foundation. “Fortunate to have a Foundation tied to our Hospital that is so committed to helping raise money for the different needs of our organization” is how Shari Heinen, a Chemotherapy Nurse at Hutchinson Health, feels. Shari is also “thankful for the Foundation’s E-Star program so that Hutchinson Health employees can easily pledge our financial support by donating a portion of each paycheck.”

When discussing why an expansion to the Cancer Center is so needed for our community, Jodi shared “the new Cancer Center will help our community by keeping quality cancer care close to home for many patients. A lot of times our patients don’t want to be traveling for hours just to get to and from their treatments. If they have to come in once a week or more, that can really wear on our patients and their families”

Sue Alrick, a Chemotherapy Nurse at Hutchinson Health, echoed her co-workers statements. “I felt grateful and appreciative when hearing we were the recipients for our new Cancer Center. The Center will have additional treatment rooms, larger exam rooms and a waiting area. It will also include a procedure room for lab draws and other procedures. A calming space will also be available for both patients and families while waiting. Patients really appreciate the ability to have their treatments and care close to home. Myself, along with my co-workers are privileged to travel their cancer journey with our patients and their families, and welcome every opportunity to make that journey as comfortable as possible.”

If you are a regular reader of our quarterly newsletters you know that each quarter we feature one of our many Grateful Donors that make our work possible. As we sat down to plan this quarter’s newsletter, it was shortly after our Havana Nights Gala, held on November 18th. The energy and support we felt in the room that night was still fresh in our minds, and we realized it was nearly impossible to feature just ONE donor this month. Instead we wanted to take a moment to recognize EACH and every ONE of our guests that attended.That night would not have been such an amazing success without the time donated by our Gala committee members to make it such a fun evening for so many – we had a record setting attendance! Nor could it have been such a success without the financial donations from all of our guests that evening.The evening raised $121,161 in proceeds (more than double the $52,035 raised at the 2015 Grand Slam Gala)!

Going into the Gala we had some pretty lofty goals, and we anticipated that it would be a great night of fundraising for the new Cancer Center, to which that night’s proceeds are going. And while we were confident and optimistic about the evening, we were deeply moved by your generous support during the Fund-A-Need. If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend that evening, Auctioneer Jim Fahey commanded the room with a very moving presentation, and a simple question “If you, or someone you know, life has been touched by cancer, won’t you consider helping fund just a half a square foot of the new Center?” To do so, all the attendees needed to do was raise 1 finger for each $250 donation they wished to pledge. The number of fingers that went up across the room…well there aren’t really words to describe it. It was inspiring to say the least. So to our donors that night – THANK YOU – what a fantastic kick off to move us along in this capital campaign! Thank you for your donations, and thank you for your continued support.

If you wish you could have participated in the fund-a-need that night, it isn’t too late. You can still make a donation to the new Cancer Center at Hutchinson Health by clicking the button below. With a $250 gift you are directly responsible for funding half a square foot in the new center and able to be a part of a great and impactful cause.

The Foundation would cease to function, and cease to serve our community without the help of some very key players. Our dedicated Board members and our loyal donors just happen to be two that play a very vital part in our existence, and supporting the advancement of health care excellence through philanthropy. This quarter we would like to take moment and recognize the Lueneburgs,who happen to fulfill both of these roles. Brad has served on our Board since 2009, and both he and his wife Jeri support the foundation financially as members of our Circle of Friends Donor Program. In addition, they operate a locally owned pharmacy which helps further foster health in our community.

We recently sat down with the Lueneburgs to learn what drives them to give their gifts of both time and money to organizations such as the Foundation. Brad shared the following: [Read more…]

Jessica Sabrowsky, founder of the Wheel & Cog, shared how the Foundation grant supported a large portion of the new exhibit build, designed to provide an interactive indoor-outdoor experience for your little explorer, pilot or camper!

Sabrowsky explained:

“With the funding we have been able to bring an exhibit that serves as a platform for a lower sensory room with aspects that bring out nature. We tried to mimic parts of the Masonic River Front with the park, river, bridge or dock, and features that museum guests might encounter in their environment such as songbirds, rabbits, and outdoor hideaways. We feature large body play equipment such as a conveyor slide, and an airplane teeter totter that seats 7! It is delightful to know that the Hutchinson Health Foundation strongly supports the efforts of Wheel and Cog.” [Read more…]

We wish to extend a big congratulations, and hope you will do the same to our eleven 2017 Scholarship Recipients. We look forward to sharing updates from them in the future as they use their scholarships to further pursue their degree in health care. [Read more…]

A message from one of our grateful recipients – Power of Produce Club

Board Member Brandon Thiemann, wife Jillian and their son Theo with Foundation Director Cary Linder at the first Hutchinson Farmers Market for the 2017 season

Earlier this spring, the Foundation had the recent opportunity to present the Power of Produce (PoP) Club at the Hutchinson Farmers Market with $2,000 in funds to help the program reach additional children in our area.

The PoP Club, first introduced into the Hutchinson area in 2016, has seen tremendous success in its early years. Designed to help educate and excite our youth about the importance of incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet, it is targeted at children ages 3-12. Each week, children receive $2 in the form of a wooden token to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables and produce producing plants. The PoP Club engages children at the Farmers Market and empowers them to make healthful food choices. Farmers markets across the nation have implemented the program and documented the program’s positive impact on the fruit and vegetable consumption of children, as well as an increase in families attending the Farmers Market.

Karen M. Gensmer, registered nutritionist at Hutchinson Health and Chair of the Heart of Hutch Eat Smart Committee, shared how the additional funding from the Foundation for the PoP Club will have a positive impact on those within our community.[Read more…]

Cash Wise is a hole sponsor for our upcoming 26th Annual Scramble For Life Golf Tournament

We recently sat down with Glenn Woelfel, the Store Director for Cash Wise Foods in Hutchinson to discuss why he and his business continually support the Foundation and our endeavors. When working on our numerous fundraising events, Glenn and Cash Wise have always been extremely open to helping out in numerous ways. In fact, Cash Wise Foods is a hole sponsor for the 26th Annual Scramble for Life Golf Tournament coming up in August, and has been an avid supporter of our Annual Share N’ Care Dinner and Gala events as well.

When we asked Glenn why he and Cash Wise are ardent supporters of the Foundation, he shared the following: [Read more…]

The Foundation had the recent opportunity to present the Elks Lodge Inclusive Playground Task Force with $5,000 in funds to put towards the installation of a new Inclusive Park Playground right here in Hutchinson.

This new playground will allow children of all abilities to participate, play, and enjoy the outdoors together. With an inclusive playground, the play components are inviting and usable by most any child, whether they are able bodied or physically challenged. While the nearest inclusive playground is 50 miles away, that is about to change. The city will soon have a 9,000 square foot playground at Elks Park, next to the existing space, with 25 important components designed for children of all abilities. [Read more…]

In February, we wrapped up another successful year of our Employee Giving Campaign at Hutchinson Health. Our employee’s are set to donate over $52,000 in 2017! And in the past 5 years, they have raised over $200,000! These funds build our scholarship and grant programs, and are essential to the work we do. A huge thank you to our E-Stars who make this possible!

We recently sat down with Wendy Schierman, a long-time donor to the Foundation, to learn more about why she and her husband Mark continue to be avid supporters of our efforts. The Schiermans’ are not only active in our Circle of Friends Donor Club, but in addition Wendy, and her business Genesis Salon & EnsoSpa, are an event sponsor for our upcoming Share N’ Care Dinner. Hospice is an area she holds near and dear to her heart. [Read more…]